Hennessy's Mark Earl to head up Nokian Americas

NOKIA, Finland — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has hired Mark Earl, president of Hennessy Industries, to become vice president, Americas Business Area, tasked with implementing the company's North American business strategy, including doubling sales by 2023.

Nokian Tyres President and CEO Hille Korhonen lauded Mr. Earl as "energetic and result-oriented" and said he has a proven track record of growing business in a profitable way in North America.

"His experience will be a major asset to us, as we are aiming at doubling our sales within five years in North America," she said.

In effect Mr. Earl is taking over the regional vice president's duties from Tommi Heinonen, who is transitioning to a new position as head of sales for the Americas. 

The changes are effective May 1.

Mr. Earl has been president of wheel-service equipment maker Hennessy Industries for the past four years, and with Venture Measurement Co. — a Danaher Corp. company — 16 years prior to that. Hennessy is part of Fortive Corp., which was spun out of Danaher in 2016.

Mr. Earl's main responsibility is to implement Nokian Tyres' North American growth strategy through the Dayton, Tenn., factory project, grow the distribution and build and strengthen the company's North American organization, Nokian said.

He will be based in Nashville, where Nokian is setting up a regional office.

North America represents 11 percent of Nokian's global business after growing 15-plus percent last year to $195 million.

Nokian added responsibility for Central and South America to Mr. Heinonen's duties last December.

Nokian Tyres also has also hired Päivi Antola to become vice president, investor relations and corporate communications, starting in June. Ms. Antola is joining Nokian Tyres after eight years at Amer Sports Corp.